Burbank Sportscards, a major player in the sports card market, has made a strategic move by entering an exclusive agreement with Fanatics Collect. With an impressive inventory of 40 million sports cards, Burbank Sportscards is set to be a prominent seller on the recently launched platform. This partnership, announced shortly after the platform’s debut, is expected to be a highlight at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention.
Renowned for its stronghold on eBay, where it has sold over 6.8 million items since 2003, Burbank Sportscards has established itself as a key player in the industry. Additionally, the company has also successfully sold 7.2 million cards through the Beckett Marketplace, further solidifying its reputation in the card trading community.
Chris Lamontagne, the president of Fanatics Collect, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, citing Burbank Sportscards’ exceptional reputation as a driving factor behind the partnership. Lamontagne highlighted the significance of working with the best in the field, with Burbank Sportscards being a top choice for Fanatics. The potential for mutual growth and success in the partnership was evident during Lamontagne’s visit to Burbank Sportscards, where the decision to join forces was solidified.
For Rob Veres, the owner of Burbank Sportscards, partnering with Fanatics Collect represents a valuable opportunity for business expansion. Veres envisions a future where trading cards are listed on Fanatics team shops alongside popular merchandise like caps and jerseys, providing customers with a comprehensive collection of players and teams.
Acknowledging the risks involved in moving away from the familiarity of eBay, a platform integral to Burbank Sportscards’ revenue stream, Veres emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks in business. Despite the challenges, Veres is optimistic about the prospects offered by this partnership and views it as a leap of faith towards new possibilities.
To support the influx of listings on the Fanatics Collect platform, Burbank Sportscards is relocating to a larger 14,000-square-foot facility. This expansion will introduce in-store kiosks that allow customers to request cards on-demand, drawing from a stock of 25 million cards readily accessible by staff.
The seamless integration of 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform is facilitated by Burbank’s advanced in-house inventory system. The transition process is underway, with cards expected to be available on the platform in the coming weeks. Initially, cards purchased in-store at Burbank will have an exclusivity period of one to two days before being listed on Fanatics Collect.
While other sellers rely on Fanatics for shipping, Burbank Sportscards will manage its fulfillment operations independently. Veres foresees the need to expand the current team of 25 retail and e-commerce staff to approximately 50 members within six months to meet the surge in demand anticipated with this collaboration.
Veres envisions the possibility of curated card releases on the platform, underscoring his confidence in the unlimited potential provided by Fanatics Collect. The prospect of active participation in Fanatics events further fuels Veres’ enthusiasm for the partnership, as he aims to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by the platform.
With ambitious goals set for the long-term partnership, both Fanatics Collect and Burbank Sportscards are focused on growth and customer engagement. Fanatics aims to attract and retain a new customer base, while Veres plans to expand sales by increasing the inventory of high-end cards alongside millions of low-end cards on the platform.
Excited about the global reach and market exposure enabled by Fanatics Collect, Veres looks forward to reaching sports fans worldwide who may not have been aware of Burbank Sportscards’ offerings. The partnership with Fanatics presents a mutually beneficial alliance that is poised to reshape the sports card market landscape.
